Patent GB-641411-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in vehicle suspension systems
IPC: B60G21/00
Filed: 1946-03-08
Abstract: 641,411. Vehicle suspensions. KOLBE, J. March 8, 1946, No. 7255. Convention date, Feb. 14, 1944. [Class 108(ii)] To cause the superstructure of a vehicle when moving in a curve to bank towards the inside of the curve, a supporting- member for each wheel 74, Figs. 8 and 9, is connected to the superstructure by a pair of arms 78, 82 hinged at 86 to the superstructure to move about an axis 94 inclined both to the horizontal and to the central vertical longitudinal plane of the vehicle, the inclined axes for a pair of wheels (i.e., either front or rear) intersecting in the said vertcal plane at a point situated above the centre of gravity 90 of the superstructure and preferably to that side of the associated hinges 86 which is remote from the centre of the vehicle, and means being provided to maintain the distance between wheels of a pair substantially constant. The pair of supporting arms may be replaced by a single arm, or only one arm of the pair may be constrained as above. The invention may be applied to the front or rear pair of wheels or to both. Preventing lateral canting &c. As shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 16, a chassis 110 is mounted on each front wheel by a pair of arms 114, 118, pivoted about horizontal axes 142, 150 on the upper and lower ends of an inclined hinge pin 146, the inclination being such that the produced axes 194, 196 of opposite pins meet in the longitudinal centre plane of the vehicle at a point vertically above the wheel axis; the rear axle 204 is connected to the chassis by a pair of levers 200, 202 pivoted on similarly inclined axes 284, 286. On turning, say, a lefthand bend, the chassis 110 tends to move to the right relative to the wheels, and the resultant rotation of the wheel-supporting arms, which are transversely connected by a link 188 for movement in unison, causes the chassis to incline towards the centre of the bend, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 9. Springs 270, Figs. 10 and 11, may be provided to return the chassis to its upright position, and a shock absorber may be incorporated in the horizontal pivot of the lever arm 114. The front and rear systems may be interconnected by rods or wires 260, 262. This system of levers pivoted on inclined hinges is incorporated in various spring suspensions which are described below. Spring suspensions. The supporting arm 118, Figs. 11 and 16, has an extension forming the lower seat 162 for a helical spring 158 whose upper end engages the end of a bell-crank lever 170 which is pivotally mounted on the upper arm 114 by a pin 166; the other arm 174 of the bell-crank is connected by a link 182 and universal or resilient joints to a fixed point on the chassis member 110, these connections, if desired, being adjustable so that the effective length of the lever arm 174 may be altered. Vertical movement of the wheel causes compression of the spring 158. For the rear wheels, the axle 204, Figs. 10 and 11, is shackled by a universally-jointed link 254 to the frame, and carries lugs which serve as lower abutments for helical springs 234, 236 whose upper ends engage bell-crank levers 230, 232; the other arm 226, 228 of each bellcrank is connected by a universally-jointed link 246, 248 to a bracket on the arm 200, 202. so that vertical movement of the latter compresses the corresponding spring 234, 236. In a modification, the lower arm 118, Fig. 16, instead of being horizontally pivoted on the inclined hinge pin is connected directly by a universal or resilient joint to the chassis (Fig. 17, not shown). If the rear wheels are independently sprung, each wheel-carrier 350, Fig. 18, is pivotally connected on a vertical axis to a supporting arm 352 which is pivoted at 360 to a horizontal arm 362 of an inclined hinge member 362A. A bellcrank is pivoted at 372 on the frame so that one arm 368 thereof engages a coil spring 374 whose other end engages the arm 352; the other arm 370 of the bellcrank is connected by a link 378 to the supporting arm 352 adjacent to the hinge member 362A. A rod 386 connects the wheel carrier by universal joints 384, 388 to the frame. Links 396. 398 interconnect the suspensions at opposite sides and ends of the vehicle. Fig. 24 shows the invention applied to a suspension comprising a longitudinal leaf spring 804, the ends of which are universally connected to levers 800, 802 pivoted to the chassis on inclined axes; to ensure lateral movement of the spring, arms 820, 822 on the levers 800, 802, are connected by a link 824. Fig. 20 shows a modified rear suspension comprising a laterally-disposed laminated spring 600, which is connected at its ends by shackles 602, 604 to the axle 504 and at its centre by inclined links 608, 610 to the chassis 410. Levers 518, 520 pivoted on inclined axes 586. 588 also connect the chassis to the axle, the links 608, 610 allowing lateral displacement of the chassis relative to the spring without interfering with the operation of the levers 518, 520.